Sunday 26th February 2017 - Transfiguration and encouragement

May I speak in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Firstly, a confession, a few years ago, I had a mountain top moment.

Before anyone gets concerned though, if it had been anything like what happened in our Gospel reading, I’d probably be like Peter, building a shelter instead of listening and taking in the experience.

So, I’m not saying I had a personal encounter with God on that day in the same way as the apostles, but the experience has stayed with me and I’d like to share it with you.

About ten years ago, I joined a mountaineering club in Scotland and met up with them a couple of times a year to try and climb some hills over 3000 feet, munro’s. 

On this occasion, it was a dark, snowy March weekend in the highlands. The first day had been too windy to walk on the tops, so we trudged to see a waterfall and then forced ourselves to find a pub to dry off in.

Gairich from across Lock Quoich

The next day was drier and I was invited to join couple who were planning a quick up and down walk to bag a munro and then head home. We crossed a dam, then followed a faint path before crossing the snowline. Before long, cloud had drifted in and snow was falling, but the way still seemed clear. The couple turned back, but I was keen to bag a top so I kept going. 

It became a dreamlike experience. The falling snow got heavier, more horizontal and deeper. I could see it filling my footprints behind me but just kept thinking, it can’t be much further to the top. 

It was around then, that the clouds briefly started to lift and over to my left, the sun appeared as a dazzling white orb. 

A thin place

I stopped transfixed, looking around me and heard what seemed like a dis-embodied voice, although it was probably just common sense, saying, turn around, go home, Louise and James need you. I sat on a snow-covered tussock as I took in the message, watching the snow blow around me. 

Then, I stood, took some pictures and turned back, following the footprints which had almost gone. Since then, the only way I could describe that mountain side was as a thin place, somewhere heaven and earth almost meet. The photos almost reflect it.

The view after I turned back

Mountains and wild places can be like this. Holy places where creation still buzzes and sings. I think it must have been like that, just a hundred times more intense for Jesus and the disciples as they ascended a mountain to see their friend changed and transformed before them. 

The most change I’ve experienced was a little sunburn, but here, transfiguration meant that Jesus’ appearance changed completely. He shone and his clothes became dazzlingly bright. Much like Moses before him, by being in the presence of God, he was transformed and changed. 

Peter, as was his way, knew this was significant and wanted the moment to last but was interrupted, by none other than God himself. 

The words God used were almost identical to those used at Jesus’ Baptism in chapter 3 of Matthew, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased;’ with one difference, this time, God also says, ‘listen to him!’

Listen to him. This is the God of Creation, the Universe, the Old Testament and three in one of the trinity with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, saying to the disciples, as witnesses for us to; Listen to him. 

This is no minor request, but a command which reaches through the ages and is one we cannot ignore. When Jesus speaks, of all the prophets and Bible writers, it is his voice which must command our respect, our love, our hopes and joy.

Jesus was with the disciples he had known the longest, Peter, Andrew and James. They had left their nets and had witnessed to Jesus’ work as Messiah for longer than anyone, yet even they were amazed.

Here he was, six days after telling them about his death, now appearing as he would at his resurrection. From this point, we are being prepared to follow Jesus in the most challenging part of his story.

So, for Jesus, this was a pivotal point, so far, he had been baptised, fed many thousands, walked on water and healed the sick but now his path would take a different turn as he turned his way towards the cross, which we also will when Lent begins on Ash Wednesday this week. 

By coming to the mountain first, his calling, mission and purpose are empowered and confirmed by God, but they are also affirmed to his disciples, so that even though they are instructed not to tell anyone as they descend, they now have this extra confirmation which will become clearer after Jesus story on earth is complete, when he rises from the dead. Only then will they really understand.

All through his ministry Jesus, would give of himself, to listen, heal, take away pain, but he would also retreat to quiet places for prayer and renewal.

This is something for us all to remember, especially when it seems like we are taking on more that may seem practical, to do anything in just our own strength is just unsustainable. 

Whereas if we go forward, with Jesus as our strength and shield, our cornerstone, ensuring we take our Sabbath rests whether we need them or not, then we can be the full disciples we are called to be. 

With Jesus as our cornerstone, we are affirmed in faith and hope. With Jesus alongside them, the disciples were being prepared for the ministry they would undertake after he had risen. With God’s affirmation and his friends alongside him, Jesus was being prepared ready for what would come next. 

The disciples were seeing this and were also being inspired with love and confidence for what they would need to do next, proclaiming the news about Jesus and building up the church.

Perhaps this is something we too need to do as well and I know it happens already. I’ve seen and heard others being encouraged, I’ve been supported and encouraged myself. And as we move towards the vacancy, this is a gift we have received and can offer others. 

To encourage and support each other, especially looking out for people who may soldier on without comment, they need love and support too. Then even when a new Vicar is appointed, we need to encourage, support and affirm them, in their ministry and calling to serve alongside us. 

The challenging part is not so much when we feel safe, in our thin places, our churches, our mountain tops, among disciples or when our encounter with God is strongest. 

The challenge is when we go out to be disciples in the world around us, when we come down from the mountain, like Jesus, who was facing the road to the cross.

And while we may not face trials quite like his, we need to be affirmed in our faith by God and each other, so that we can be like a bright morning star, a light in the world today, to be ambassadors for Jesus.

May we all be blessed by each other’s encouragement through the love of Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Based on Matthew 17. 1-9

Preached at St George, Cam and St Cyr, Stinchcombe.